Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has highlighted the numerous reasons why the youth should invest in the tourism sector. He made the remarks during the inauguration ceremony of the Destination Addu Summit.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Faisal emphasised the government's commitment to providing financial support for those interested in investing in tourism. He also encouraged the Maldivian youth to take advantage of this opportunity, stating that if they invest now, the one island, one resort concept could be fully realised within 10-15 years, leading to significant changes in the tourism landscape.
Additionally, Minister Faisal discussed efforts to expand tourism in Addu. As such, he highlighted ongoing discussions with airlines to establish direct flights to Addu from various international destinations. He underscored the rich historical heritage of Addu and stressed the importance of promoting its ancient sites within the tourism sector. He also announced that the Addu City Council will participate in this year's World Travel Market (WTM) Fair and shared that the government is prioritising the expansion of tourism in Addu, with plans to submit a proposal to the Economic Council on the matter.
Furthermore, Minister Faisal said that the presence of a beach is not essential for the expansion of tourism on an island. He also noted that the country is moving towards a diversified tourism model, with plans to introduce various types of tourism to ensure that the benefits are equitably distributed among those living in the atolls.
The Destination Addu Summit, held at the Equator Village in Addu, aims to promote tourism in the region and address the current challenges and opportunities for its development.